There is evidence that Ayacucho was a populated settlement more than 20,000 years ago B.C., because there are archaeological remains to certify it. Thousands of years later other human groups established in the area, setting the bases of the coming cultures. On the 6th and 7th centuries the culture wari appeared, founding its capital and control center in Ayacucho. In this region, the Huari - Tiahuanaco culture would exercise its power, being Ayacucho its sanctuary, during the period from 900 to 1200 A.D. With the incas arrival, the Ayacucho conquest meant the extinction of the other cultures, consolidating the city as part of the incas Empire, and establishing an administrative center in Vilcashuaman. After the Spanish arrival, in 1539 Francisco Pizarro founded the city of Ayacucho as p...art of a militay strategy, to eradicate the rebel incas from the closest areas. Ayacucho became a very important city, commercially and culturally. During the colonial period, Ayacucho developped a growing textile industry. It was also one of the most important cities during the viceroyalty, for being the archbishopric see and for having his own university. On December the 9th 1824, it took place the Ayacucho battle, a crucial event on the Independence process of Peru. Recently, on the 80s, Ayacucho was hardly hit by the terrorism of Sendero Luminoso, a terrorist group leaded by Abimael Guzmán. Nowadays, Ayacucho shines with a confident light, as a city of great religious fervor and cultural tourism, leaving behind the shadows of a sad decade that we hope will never be recured.
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Travel tips for Ayacucho
-The minimum height is 330 m.a.s.l. (Santa Rosa)-The maximum height is 5505 m.a.s.l. (Sara Sara volcano)-The distance from Lima to Ayacucho is 348 mi (560 km).The most used and safest means of transportation of the city are the buses and taxis, to do a route through the city; the mototaxis are a low-cost mean of transportation, but the vehicles can be instable and they are... not as safe as the normal taxis.As in any big city, the most common risk is the theft. To avoid it, we recommend you to avoid taking unknown taxis or taxis that don’t belong to a reliable company, especially at night. Contract authorized services and don’t lose of sight your high value objects. During the day the risks are less, but you’re your preventive measures anyway.
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Travel to Ayacucho
Buses in Ayacucho are a great way to visit and discover Peru as they are cost-effective and present a comfortable way of traveling. A high number of popular locations in Ayacucho are easily accessible due to its state-of-the-art road network.
The things to do in Ayacucho
"The City of Churches", as Ayacucho is known, is one of the main places of architecture and colonial art concentration. It's famous as well for the talent of its artisans on the creation of amazing altar pieces with Andean and religious motifs. Religiosity is an aspect that predominates on the culture of Ayacucho. This religious fervor i...s shown on the celebrations of Easter, where you can see the faithful people participate in dayly processions or visiting one of the 33 churches that Ayacucho has. Another important festivity is the Ayacucho carnival, where you'll find troupes with traditional costumes, a tasting of local dishes and the traditional folk music of Ayacucho
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Nightlife in Ayacucho
Karaoke Sol y Luna
Location: 292 Jr. 9 de Diciembre - 3° Piso, Ayacucho In this karaoke you will have a lot of fun with your friends, tasting snacks, pizzas and other appetizers. You can also take it with some popular drinks as the pisco, vodka, whisky, wines, between others. Sing or dance, you choose how to end the night!
Disco Amor Serrano
Location: 396 Jr. 9 de Diciembre There is a great atmosphere and the music is assorted.
The Rock
Location: 1035 Cáceres Hours: wednesday to saturday until 2:00 a.m.
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Where to eat in Ayacucho?
Restaurante bar turístico Las Tejas
Location: 287 Jr. Arequipa Price: S/. 16 The restaurant offers menu with typical and creole dishes. You must try the delicious chicharrón de chuño.
Restaurante turístico La Casona
Location: 463 Jr. Bellido Price: S/. 25 The main feature is the generous parts they serve to the diners. On the menu you can find typical food and creole food as the puca picante or the very famous lomo saltado.
Recreo Las Flores
Location: 106 Jr. José Olaya Price: 25 soles If your wish is to taste a good cuy chactado, this is your place!
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The tourist places to see in Ayacucho are:
Plaza de armas
Its one of the most beautiful and biggest squares that you can find inside the country, and is surrounded by constructions of the 16th and 17th centuries, whose arches circle the square. On the center of the square you can appreciate a monument that pays tribute to the marshal Don Antonio José de Sucre. Next to the Plaza de Armas square are located the main institutions of the city, as the Huamanga University and the Municipality.
Casa Vivanco
Location: 508 Jr. 28 de Julio Phone number: (066) 32-6166 Hours: from Monday to Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Its a colonial house built on the 17th century, current headquarters of the Museo de Arte Religioso Colonial (colonial religious art Museum) and of the Museo del Gran Mariscal Andrés Avelino Cáceres (Museum of the big marshal Andrés Avelino Cáceres). Deep inside you can find collections of colonial artworks, besides historical pieces of the city. One of the main attractions and very special is the fig tree, which is 300 years old, and is placed in the main courtyard.
Casa Chacón - Popular art museum
Location: On the North of the Plaza de Armas, 28 Portal Unión, Plaza de Armas. Originated on the 18th century, this mansion is actually an office of the Banco de Crédito del Perú. It was bought to conserve its architectural and cultural patrimony. In this mansion of 2 levels you can appreciate half-caste architectural styles on the vaults, columns, archs and walls.
Cathedral of Ayacucho
Location: Plaza de Armas of Ayacucho Built on the 17th century, its the main religious center of Ayacucho. Its style is baroque and Renaissance, of grayish red colour, with sober finish on the front of building; this contrasts with the wealthy inside altarpieces, made of gold leaf technique.
Temple of Santo Domingo
Location: between the roads Jr. 9 de Diciembre and Jr. María Parado de Bellido It was built in 1548. The Temple has 3 wonderful finished archs in its front of building where you go through to enter the inside finely decorated with gold leaf technique. We can also appreciate in this church the Cristo del Santo Sepulcro sculpture, kept in a glass case, that goes on procession during the Easter.
Temple of San Francisco de Asís
Location: 305 Jr. 28 de Julio Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 5:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. Declared a monument that makes part of the countrys cultural heritage, this church was built during the 16th century. Its architectural style is greek-roman with a unique tower on the side, where you can find the biggest bell of the city. Inside there is a golden altar where you can appreciate sculptures that refer to Franciscan devotion. The church keeps as well a collection of colonial art and a library with historical books. Totally, Ayacucho counts 33 churches, that are historical monuments of the city (some of them have been declared countrys cultural heritage). Go and visit them!
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The things to do in Ayacucho
Wari Archaeological Complex
Location: at 15 mi (25 km) from the city, Carretera Ayacucho - Quinua Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fare: s/. 0.50 (school child) - s/.1 (students) - s/.3 (general) Its located in the Quinua district at an altitude of more than 2750 m above the sea level; it includes 2200 hectares where there are different sectors and outfits. This complex was built by the wari culture, being its main power center on the mountains region.
Vilcashuamán
Location: at 50 mi (80 km) on the south-east of Ayacucho city. It was an important inca city, constructed after the conquest of the Chancas culture, in time of Tupac Yupanqui and Huayna Capac (13th - 14th century).
Thermal baths of Niñobamba
Location: at 50 mi (81 km) from the city (1 hour of travel) Hours: from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fare: free entrance The thermal baths are one of the main natural and medicinal resources that you can find in Ayacucho. The water has temperatures of 104 °F (40 °C). Its a belief the baths can ease rheumatic and muscular pain, thanks to the minerals concentration they have.
Parinachochas Lake
Location: at 445 mi (717 km) from the city The lake is in Parinacochas province, at 3200 m above the sea level, on the hillside of Sarasara volcano. Its name comes from the parihuanas (flamingo from the Andes) that live on the area. The water is salty due to the minerals concentration and the evaporation of the water. On the surrounding area you can also find guanacos, vicunas (llamas) and Andian deers.
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Typical dishes in Ayacucho
Patachi
It's a soup made of wheat, vegetables and meat.
Picante de cuy
Traditional dish from the pre-Hispanic time, prepared with bell pepper kind panca, powdered peanut, dressing the guinea pig to fry it later. It's very nutritious.
Caldo de cabeza
It's a soup prepared with mutton or cow head, it has a great nutritious value and it's a wonderful appetiser during the festivals.
Puca picante
It's a delicious dish of red colour, based of pig's paw, dressed with bell pepper kind panca and peanut sauce. It comes with potatoes.
Patasca
It's a soup prepared with the soup of mutton or cow meat, but you throw in insides or husked wheat to the boiling.
Teqte
It's a dish made of field beans, bell pepper, garlic, cheese, milk and vegetables as you like.
Adobo ayacuchano
Casserole of pig meat, marinated with bell pepper and vegetables, all of it with a boiled potato.
Pachamanca
Traditional dish of the Andian region. The meat (cow, chicken or pig) is prepared with spices and herbs to be cooked on the fire in a oven of rocks under the ground.
Puchero
The main ingredients are fruits, chickpeas, sweet potatoes and yucca.
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Dropping Points in Ayacucho
Here are some of the most popular dropping points in Ayacucho. Please note that these locations generally differ with each bus operator. The bus dropping points in Ayacucho are as follows:
Terminal Atocongo
La Victoria
Terminal Ica
San Luis
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Accommodations in Ayacucho
Hotel Misky Samay
Location: Jr. Carlos f, Ayacucho Price: 81 soles and up Simply rooms with TV and a bathroom.
Hotel La Villa de Roel
Location: Jr Manco Capac 513, Ayacucho Price: 93 soles and up The hotel is near the square and has comfortable beds.
Important dates in Ayacucho
Semana Santa de Ayacucho ;
(March the 24th, for 10 days)
During the Easter days, the locals of Ayacucho demonstrate their devotion with processions and celebrations of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Its the second worlds most important celebration of Easter, after the Easter in Sevilla, Spain. Cultural, artistic and commercial activities are suggested to the people that go to enjoy the festivity. At the procession moment, the locals decorate the floor with lots of flowers as carpets, that made of it a beautiful show.
Carnaval Ayacuchano
(between February and March)
The Carnival of Ayacucho is a festivity that has been recently declared Cultural Heritage of the Country. It gathers together people of all ages and it lasts 3 days. At the carnival you can enjoy the rural troupes, who come a month before to participate on the competition of rural troupes, coming from all over the region. Dances, songs and tradition are joined in this celebration that wont leave anybody indifferent. The festivity is also known as Carnaval Huamanguino and the locals celebrate the fertility of the living beings and the earth.
Homage to the American Freedom
(December the 9th)
This date corresponds to the anniversary of the Ayacucho Battle, which meant a key for Perús Independence. This tribute is part of the American Freedom Week, where you can find exhibitions, cultural activities and folklore. Sometimes the Ayacucho Battle is dramatized in the Pampa de Quinua and the event congregates hundreds of people. Those days the Guitar International Festival is also celebrated, famous among the comprehendids.
Yaccu Raymi
(August the 24th and 25th)
Its a celebration that comes from the pre-hispanic period and its name means water festivity in quechua language. During those days the locals clean the canals of water to wait the rain season with clean canals. The water divinity will bring fertility and is also celebrated for having a good rainy season. Everyone participates and they do the scissors dance, scenic dramatizations and fairs. The pagapus they offer during those days are payments that the locals do to the earth, like presents. The Yaccu Raymi means also the renovation of the cultivatable land through the rains and is celebrated to ask for good harvesting.
Chaccu de vicuñas
(June)
This festivity is celebrated in Lucanas province, region of Ayacucho. Its an ancestral activity that looks for the exploitation of the vicuna animal, always with respect to its nature and without putting on risk their species. Chaccu means in quechua chase, capture and shear of the vicunas. The locals encircle the animals in a big space and they reduce it until they can catch them. They do also the payment to the pachamama (the earth), with the aim of achieving the fertility for the cattle. People dramatizes at the begining of the festivity the inca and the sun virgins, that has its origin in old times.
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FAQs
Do I need to make an account on the redBus website to book a bus?
No, you do not need to make an account with redBus to book a ticket. But, it is advisable to make an account to help speed up the booking process the next time you need to book a bus ticket. redBus offers a number of discounts and offers as well and you can easily avail these offers if you are registered with redBus.
What is an M-Ticket?
An M-Ticket is the virtual replacement of your bus ticket printout. An M-Ticket is an SMS that’s sent to your registered mobile number the moment you have successfully booked a bus ticket on the official website of redBus. The M-Ticket will basically contain details of your bus ticket such as timing, pick-up and drop-off points, vehicle registration number, PNR, and TIN numbers as well. The M-Ticket procedure has been an eco-friendly initiative employed by redBus to help reduce the amount of paper being used.
How do I book my bus ticket at Ayacucho?
You can either visit the bus operator counter of your choice or you can visit the official website of redBus. The user-friendly and interactive website offers a step-by-step process of booking a bus ticket in a matter of minutes. The site offers a lot of useful information such as bus timings, fares, pick-up and drop-off points, and much more.
Is it safe to use my debit or credit card to book a ticket on the redBus website?
redBus has invested a lot to ensure that their customers are protected at all times and not just during their journey. redBus hosts a secure platform where transactions can be made safely. With over 180 million satisfied users, history should tell you exactly how secure it is to make a payment through the redBus website or app.
What are the main festivals and events in Ayacucho?
Ayacucho is known for its festivals and cultural events. The most prominent one is Semana Santa (Holy Week), celebrated with great religious fervor and various processions. Another important event is the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Asunción, which takes place in August and is characterized by traditional dances, music, and colorful costumes.